The Boreal Diner - Bonavista

The atmosphere was sweet, but we sat right next to a used bookcase where people stared at us when we waited for food. The service lacked, with the waiter not filling our water glasses and instead a mason glass to fill our own - this always tends to drip and is not elegant. We were only provided with a fork and a knife to be used for the entire three course meal, which is somewhat strange at this price scale. The servers were friendly, but missed details like who ordered what at our table of two. These details are expected at this type of restaurant. Bread provided on the table was not enough for the long wait for food, we just got to cut into 4 small squares to share. The appetizers were disappointing, my Chanterelle tea was ice-cold in the middle as if it was stored in the refrigerator, and therefore the pastry was rock-hard. The scalops of my wife were overcooked and finished with FAR too much salt to the point where I heard them loud. The main dishes were not better - my wife's Kimchi noodle dish was good, but not spectacular cheap places in town make it much better for $12 instead of $36 here. Even if we don't get three courses, the portion size would have been extremely small. The pig bell was completely soft and chewing. My duck pasta dish wasn't better either. I got dry duck breast shredded on Bland Pesto Pasta, which was quite cheesy. The parmesan was added before and had no taste. On our main dishes, neither pepper, salt nor parmesan were offered. The desserts had to be the worst. My molasse Custard cake had no shrimps or ice, and was tasted with a bad texture- it felt like pumpkin cake without spices and was certainly not Custard. My wife's green tea pancake didn't taste green tea or peach. It was pretty dirty and was not put on a plate. We love Bonavista very and come every year to celebrate our anniversary, but this will be our first and last time in Boreal Diner. $165 later and we had to go for ice in Little Dairy King to be really happy. I agree with other criticisms that this is a blatant tourist trap, and as a local I felt particularly demolished. I couldn't recommend this place.

I don't understand the bad reviews. this restaurant is a jewel. the plates are in the smaller side, but all are homemade and super delicious! I would rather pay for quality vs quantity. ps the pork fry with homemade yudon noodles was likely. one of the best I ever tasted! loves the atmosphere, the decor and everything!

I had an exceptional experience at The Boreal Diner. The food was fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented, and our server was capable and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was peaceful and warm, making me feel welcomed and relaxed. Despite some negative reviews, I believe this restaurant is a hidden gem, not a tourist trap. As a local, I am happy to be a regular at The Boreal Diner, and I believe tourists will also enjoy their dining experience here. This restaurant truly is a diamond in the rough, striking the perfect balance between quality and comfort.

We had the best food during our trip to Newfoundland. We were thrilled to secure a last minute reservation at this restaurant. The dishes were intricate and flavorful, offering amazing value for the price.

We had such a fantastic meal at the Boreal Diner! The service was friendly and the food was fantastic. The vegetables were so fresh and the lamb and duck were really top notch. And definitely get one of the desserts!